New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-04-16
DIR. FUNK'S PROPOSITION.

DIR. Funk thinks that the majority ought TO
submit to the minority on the tempera nee ques-
ton. 1t seems to him quite sad Illustration
of human pervcrsity that the hundreds who
do not believe Prohibition to be practical
or practicable remedy for the drink evil in large
cities should refuse TO give up their clear
convictions at the solicitation of the tens who
are trying to make up in clamor what they
lack in numbers DR.. Funk comes forward
with proposition which he implies can only
DO rejected by such as do not really desire
temperance reform. This proposition Is, to
proportion the number of saloon permits 10
the number of votes in each Assembly DISTRICT
in this city and Brooklyn. By fixing the rate
at one saloon for each 100 voters he hoids
that three-fOurths of tho saloons now dong
business would be closed. 1t Is rather Qua
that DIR. Funk should seem to consider that
his proposition does not involve the licensing
of saloons. As matter of fact, permit Is
license. The only distinction is that in the
one case the license is paid for, and in the
other it is given for nothing. Now DR.. Funk
wishes the friends of temperance who do not
believe in the pncticability Of Prohibition as
applied to great cities to agree with him that
1t Is in some occult way better morals to give
away licenses to run saloons than to take pay
for such licenses. We are afraid the Doctors
view will not be fallen in with at all genera iiy
The whole question of liquor licenses is fruit
full of disagrcements. Believers in tho wisdom
and propriety of levying an impost upon the
LIQUOR traffic under the designation OF licenses
will not admit that in so doing any sanction
is given to the trade. They say land tho DC
cisions of many courts sustain them) that the
so-callod license is really fine imposed upon
business the nature Of which justifes this
discrimination against it, To license saloons,
it is contcnded is to restrict them TO the
extent of the levy and the higher the license
the greater tho restriction. But this is not
the only view held by the public, and Dr.
Funk will do well TO remember that In coun-
try where all general issues must finally be
settled by the ballOt-boX, it is necessary 10
consider and recognize all views, and not con-
fine investigations to one. Another and
very generally entertained view Is that a
revenue ought to be derived from the liquor
traffic. Of course. all who occupy this position
hold also that it is impossible to put down
drinking by fat that its diminution must IN
any case be question of time and education ;
and that meanwhile the hquor-scllers ought to
contribute handsomely to the support OF the
State. Now it is quito certain that there are
two people who think thus for every one VINO
thinks like DIR. Funk Yet the latter expects
the majority to be ignored if they are not pre-
parod to surrender their beliefs upon his de-
mand. Surely this is anything but reasonable.
It is the less SO because DR.. Funk's prop
osition has no real cogency. 1t is not prac-
teal. 1t offers no advantages. On the con-
trary. ii involves an altogether useless and I'M
warrantable sacrifice, under the circumstances.
Practical friends Of temperance are no less
anxious than DR.. Funk and the ProhbitionistS
and the hair-splitting opponents OF license IN
anv form" to diminish the drink evil Inc
difference between tho two parties IS that the
practical temperance people recognize the llini-
tat;ons of feasible reform whereas the friendS
Of DIR. Funk do not. but shut their eyes opsu-.
nately to the exigencies Of the actual situation
and imagine that they arc furthcrng progress
by bowling for the impossible and unattalnablc
wear in and year out Practical men see that
license is the only means Of dealing with this
evil in great cities. They cannot be made 10
admit that unpaid-for licenses are preferapic
to those which put revenue In the treasury
They know that the rumscllcrs will for long
time continue to do mischief because the PEG
plc will not for a long time be prepared TO
give up drinking. And because this is so,
these practical temperance people hold That
the men who do the mischief should be made
to pay for some Of it and to that end the fine
laid on their business should be incrca sed. These
are some of the reasons why DR.. Funk's prop
osition cannot be regarded seriously, and why
| tu@n n Init IF tho nroillCU1
or sane compromise of the difference between
the practical and the impractical friends oil
tempean nee.